Deanna Kay Potts (Mules)
(January 15, 1942 – September 10, 2024)
Deanna Kay Potts of Kansas City, MO, formerly of St. Joseph, MO, passed away Tuesday, September 10, 2024. She was born January 15,1942 in St. Joseph, MO, daughter of the late Tura Virginia Bodde and James Lewis Mules. She graduated high school from the Convent of the Sacred Heart, attended St. Mary’s College, before marrying her high school sweetheart John Stephen Potts on May 20,1961.
Throughout grade school and high school, Deanna was very close to her Cathedral friends, most of whom stood with her at her wedding. Deanna’s house was known as a popular gathering place, with a basem*nt designed for fun—jukebox of 45s, pool table, foosball, card table. Many of the friendships and romances begun in this rec room led to lifelong marriages—Deanna and John included.
Having lost her father when she was an infant, Deanna was raised primarily by her mother, maternal aunts, and maternal grandparents. Throughout her childhood and young adulthood, Deanna was very close to Grandpa Joe and Baba, spending many weekends and summers in their company. She spoke fondly of their care and attention. And though her mother worked full-time for a large family, raising 7 children mostly on her own (having outlived 3 husbands), Deanna’s relationship with her mother was steadfast and loving. Throughout Deanna’s adulthood they spoke daily by phone and dined together weekly.
Deanna was preceded in death by her loving parents Louis and Tura Mules; her brothers Louis Mules, Mike Huffer, David Huffer, Johnnie Huffer, and her sister Joy Homan; her beloved son J.L and daughter Sarah Lynn; and her cherished husband John. Survivors include Deanna’s son John S Potts III and wife Jennifer; daughters, Dana C Armstrong and husband Art, and Michelle A Potts; and youngest son, Mark J Potts and wife Kim; daughter-in-law Donna; and beloved brother Tom Huffer. She will be missed by her many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Deanna skillfully assisted in running the Weekend/Evening College at Park College as an Executive Administrative Assistant for a decade in the late 80s through the 90s. The director, Dell Bagley glowingly praised her organizational skills and communication abilities in a professional academic setting. The Park College students spoke lovingly of her compassion and unfailing support of their needs and college experiences. To this day, her daughter Michelle receives fond remembrances of Deanna from Park College students she meets in academic settings.
She also maintained a busy artistic and social life. She played bridge with neighborhood friends, participated in art activities (china painting, flower arranging, scrapbooking, stamping, oil painting), and maintained childhood relationships through her final days.
Deanna was a devoted mother and grandmother—her most treasured moments were times spent with any of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She was known for making her home a loving space of magic and wonder for children—she always had a prominent playroom in the house. She curated a small children’s library, collected engaging toys for creative play, made musical play instruments available (piano, flutes, drums, ukelele), kept games on hand (cards, barrel of monkeys, checkers, chess, Scrabble, Monopoly, Life, Clue, Battleship, Jenga, Simon, jumping rope, hoola hoops), maintained 2-3 beautifully designed doll houses, managed boxes of play clothes (capes, jackets, and tons of hats—cowboy, fireman, beret, top hat, derby hat, and tiaras).
Her family and friends recognize that Deanna delighted in holidays—Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Easter, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. She decorated her entire house, creating a space of joy. Walking into her home was always to step into a welcoming, loving, and gorgeously decorated space that invited you to sit and relax. Deanna went well beyond decorations for the holidays, though. She created experiences. When her grandchildren were toddlers, she planned a Nutcracker Party for them that became an annual event: Nutcrackers were placed throughout the house with lovely winter garlands, while the Nutcracker soundtrack played. Deanna would serve the grandchildren chicken soup with grilled cheese sandwiches. While the kids ate, she would read to them Chicken Soup with Rice by Maurice Sendak, with a rousing chorus—Happy once, happy twice…happy chicken soup with rice! The party always concluded with a craft activity that the kids took home with them.
Family was the cornerstone of Deanna’s life.
Her most important and enduring relationship, however, was with her husband John. Their love built a strong home and family, and their focus and commitment to one another never faltered. A marriage that spans 63 years is rare—their relationship inspired family and friends. They supported and loved one another through times of adversity, and they reveled in endless days spent in joyful and comfortable companionship with one another. They particularly enjoyed working together on the design and upkeep of their beautifully landscaped yards and gardens—a labor of love they shared together. Deanna designed gardens of lush blooms, bursting with colors and textures. And because John enjoyed any beckoning open road (the remnants of farm-life and 30+ years as a truck driver), Deanna joined him most afternoons for a drive about. They were also known to bring one another a fruit offering each evening—sliced apples, oranges or watermelon. They shared a devotion of the deepest love, evident in even the smallest gestures.
Deanna and John were faithful parishioners at Cathedral in St. Joseph and Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Kansas City. Together they contributed to their Catholic community and demonstrated the Christian tenets of love, faith, and compassion.
Deanna established a core of kindness and love in her familial line. The universe has lost one of its brightest stars, but her light will shine on for generations to come.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, September 13, 2024, at Cathedral of St. Joseph. A luncheon reception will follow at Cathedral. The Rosary will be recited at 6:30 pm, Thursday at the Rupp Funeral Home, where the family will receive friends from 6-8:00 PM on Thursday at the Rupp Funeral Home. The Inurnment will be at the Mount Olivet Cemetery following the funeral mass. Memorials are requested to the Alzheimer association. Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com.
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